Best waterfall trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
The Altmühltal Nature Park is a 2962 square kilometer nature park in Bavaria, which is almost identical in area to the Southern Franconian Alb. It was founded in 1969 and is the fourth largest nature park in Germany. There are a number of protected areas in the nature park, such as the Jura dry slope, Thalach meadows, Weltenburger Enge and the Kuhbachtal valley, and the popular Altmühltal panorama trail runs through the nature park and leads past scenic and cultural experiences.
Top sights
Top trails
- 3.7 (5)·Moderate·28.6 mi·Est. 10–11 hrThis route is stage 5 of the Altmühltal Cycle Path, a long-distance trail between Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Kelheim. Starting in Beilngries, this gently downhill 46.2 km segment follows the scenic Altmühl river through dramatic rock landscapes, passing historic medieval town fortifications, the Ludwig-Donau-Main Canal, and Dietfurt. Overnight stays rely on regional guesthouses, inns, and hotels along the path, with advance reservations recommended during peak season. Water can be easily...
- 4.6 (4)·Easy·12.1 mi·Est. 4–4.5 hrA great bike ride along the water through the Ottmühltal and Altmühltal, Bavaria The "tracks" left by interventions in nature give this circular route its name. For several years, attempts have been made to compensate for the intervention in the Ottmaringer Moor habitat in the popular holiday region. On the bike tour you can get an idea of where the intervention in nature and landscape has been sufficiently compensated. The whole thing is accompanied by exciting information boards. The paths...
- 3.4 (4)·Hard·11.4 mi·Est. 5.5–6 hrThis route is stage 11 of the Altmühltal-Panoramaweg, a long-distance trail in Bavaria. This section leads from Kinding to Beilngries. A natural highlight is the impressive Felsentor (rock gate), which hikers pass after a forest ascent. The path offers recreation at the Kratzmühle swimming lake before leading through dense forests to Beilngries, where the majestic Hirschberg Castle towers over the town. Overnight stays are available in guesthouses and hotels in Kinding or Beilngries; wild...
- 4.6 (5)·Easy·27.5 mi·Est. 11–12 hrPopular cycle path in the Altmuehltal nature park, Bavaria. This family-friendly cycle path between Ingolstadt and Riedenburg leads along the route of the Schambach Valley Railway, which opened in 1904 and was closed in 1972. The cycling route can be ridden in one go or in several daily stages. Due to the small differences in altitude and well-developed paths, the tour is considered child-friendly. Highlights of the route: - idyllic Schambach valley - New Castle and historic old town in...
- 4.1 (3)·Hard·11 mi·Est. 5–5.5 hrPanoramic circular hike from Riedenburg in the Altmühltal nature park. The official circular hike of the "Bayerns Herzstück" tourism association mainly takes you on footpaths and hiking trails from Riedenburg through the Emmerthal to the Teufelsfelsen, from which you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the Altmühltal. When it is wet, individual areas can be difficult to walk on and slippery. ------ Accessible by bus and train
- 5.0 (1)·Hard·16.4 mi·Est. 8–8.5 hrThis route follows stage 12 of the certified "Jurasteig" premium trail, connecting Dietfurt an der Altmühl with Riedenburg on a challenging yet visually spectacular section. As the longest stage of the entire Jurasteig, the path runs parallel to the famous Altmühltal-Panoramaweg starting from the Roßkopf Plateau. Beginning in Dietfurt, the route leads past Mühlbach and Meihern—offering views of the imposing Flügelsberg cliffs, a well-known nesting site for peregrine falcons—before ascending...
- 4.5 (2)·Hard·12.2 mi·Est. 6–6.5 hrThis route follows stage 10 of the certified "Jurasteig" premium trail, connecting Deining with Holnstein on a pristine, spring-rich section. Right at the start in Deining, a tiny 50-meter detour leads to the historic rock cellars carved into the sandy Dogger stone. Shortly after, an abandoned quarry fascinates hikers with the vibrant colors of the exposed rock. The trail then follows the protected White Laber Valley, which boasts a marshy, wild, and romantic landscape. After a peaceful break...
- 3.6 (3)·Moderate·6.3 mi·Est. 3–3.5 hrPopular hike in the Altmuehltal Nature Park, Bavaria. The hike from Berching to the Hoher Brunnen (loop trail no. 4) is probably one of the most diverse routes in the region. You hike mainly through a beautiful mixed forest, you can enjoy fantastic views and the lime sinter terraces (Hoher Brunnen). Cultural and historical attractions include a pretty chapel and relics of a castle stable. Caution: The High Well is an extremely valuable geotope that can be quickly destroyed. Please stay on...
Visitor info
The Altmühltal Information Center is open in the summer season, i.e. from Palm Sunday to 31 October, Mon - Fri from 9 am - 5 pm and at weekends from 10 am - 5 pm. In the winter season it is closed at lunchtime, which means that it is open Mon - Thu from 9am - 12pm and 2pm - 4pm and Fridays from 9am - 12pm.
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Frequently asked questions
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Activities
- Backpacking trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Bike touring trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Birding trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Camping trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Mountain biking trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Road biking trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Running trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Walking trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
Attractions
- Beach trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Cave trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Easy trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Forest trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Hard trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Lake trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Long trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Moderate trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- River trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Short trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Trails with historic sites in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Trails with views in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Waterfall trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Wildflower trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Wildlife trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
Suitability
Points of interest
- Bienenkorb
- Wieserkreuz
- Zwölf Apostel
- Kloster Trauntal bei Kelheim
- St. Georg
- Alcimoennis (ehem. kelt. Stadt)
- Hall of Liberation
- Klause
- Östliches Schneiderloch
- Michelsberg
- Ruine Tachenstein
- Ruine Rabenstein
- Teufelskanzel
- Burgruine Tachenstein
- Ruine Rabenstein
- Römischer Wachturm (Limes) 14/65
- Römischer Wachturm (Limes) 14/77
- Limes
- Limesturm Erkertshofen
- Limes (Teufelsmauer)